Sonica’s Artist in Residence, Japan’s Nelo Akamatsu, developed a brand new work, playing on one of our most common natural phenomena: the vortex. From weather patterns to the turn of electrons, the turn of galaxies to the water swirling down the plughole after we wash our hands, the vortex is everywhere. In this calming, meditative installation, each of Akamatsu’s three purpose-built glass beakers contains a continuous vortex, controlled by magnets, that whirls unceasingly in water. Visitors watch the endless undulations through the fragile vessels, and listen to each subtle, ever-changing rush and bubble through each container’s speaker-like mouth.
Concept, Design, Hardware Development, Sound-Sequence Programming: Nelo Akamatsu
A Cryptic commission for Sonica 2017
Supported by: The Lighthouse, The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation & The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
